‘Hypocrite’ MP seeking office staff to work for free

AN MP has been branded a hypocrite for recruiting volunteer workers while criticising unpaid internships that make politics “only accessible to the wealthy”.

Lib Dem Tom Brake is advertising for a caseworker and a campaigns assistant, offering just travel and lunch expenses.

The hours are described as “flexible”, and the ads do not say if the jobs at his office in Carshalton, Surrey, are temporary. Mr Brake has campaigned for fair pay, and the Lib Dems have pledged a “genuine living wage” across government.

An MP’s researcher, who alerted the Mirror to the ads on the w4mp website, said: “He’s a hypocrite. It’s very concerning. I’ve never seen any party expect someone to do case work for free. A caseworker job is quite demanding and requires experience and emotional resilience to help people in desperate situations. It’s a level of responsibility which deserves at least the living wage.

“If politicians aren’t committed to paying their staff a decent wage, what hope do we have for businesses?”

Citizens UK Director Neil Jameson warned: “There is a question over unpaid internships being only for the elite.”

Mr Brake’s office manager said: “All political parties rely on a mix of volunteers and professional staff.

“Providing opportunities for volunteers in no way detracts from a Lib Dem commitment to strengthening employment rights.”